My Reach?

[Potassium88]

<p>Hi everyone.</p>

<p>I’m a rising senior considering American University and I know that it would be a reach for me, a big reach.</p>

<p>Stats:
3.5 GPA
23 on ACT (I will take this test again. I messed up bad the day I took it, I know I can do better. I’ll do anything I can to get better.)
Anyway on this test I scored a 29 on English, 28 on Reading, 16 on Math, and 17 on Science. So yeah, that will come up. </p>

<p>My ECs-are nothing too great. I was chosen for Know Your County Government, I was a page for my state’s senate, I worked on my school’s television program as an anchor, I joined and anti-smoking group at my school and was trained to give presentations (I haven’t yet.) I also have a few hours of volunteer work at a local hospital, nothing great.</p>

<p>If I can keep and perhaps raise my GPA up, definitely get my ACT score up some, and add some more ECs, do you think I would have a shot at American. I mean, enough to call it a reach?</p>

<p>Oh I’m also the first in my family to go to college, from West Virginia, and low-income. If American even looks at that.</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.</p>

[ElCartero]

<p>wow. yeah, move up those scores to 28ish range (maybe 27 at the lowest), but your gpa is right on target. Sorry I have no idea how much emphisis they put on things like being the first from your family to go.</p>

[maryfreckles]

<p>Something that might help you is to write your application essay about how you’re the first from your family to attend college, some struggles you had to go through, why you decided to excell in school when your family maybe didn’t make it a priority, etc.</p>

<p>American is good with meeting demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA. Fill that out and see where it puts you. And if AU means that much to you, taking out a loan won’t be the worst thing ever.</p>

<p>If you add a few EC’s (or maybe just get more involved in / expand more on the ones you have) and get great rec’s, AU sounds like a definite possibility for you.</p>